The night moon hangs like a hook, its pale white light piercing through the dark clouds above, falling into Fengxi County.
In Zhang Family Alley, the Zhang Family Mansion sits quietly at the alley entrance, the spacious courtyard completely silent, with two Begging for a Title Lamps hanging high before the gate.
The Zhang Family is a grand family, with a penchant for etiquette.
It's said that one does not light the front gate, and the backyard should not be bright.
A bright house also signifies prosperity, with many wealthy households spending silver to let candles burn until dawn.
Now, the entrance is silent when suddenly a peculiar eerie wind blows across the long street, causing the two gas lanterns to sway, emitting a flickering glow, and the night watchman shivers as the wind hits.
The watchman finds it strange, for though it's midsummer and the midday heat has subsided by midnight, the air shouldn't be this chilly.
Chilled by fear, he hastily leaves in quick steps.
In the darkness, eerie shadows emerge, curling from the dark; upon closer look, they are snow-white paper figures.
But these paper figures have bright red pupils, like dripping blood; they resemble skilled assassins hidden in the shadows. As soon as these paper figures appear, the sentries around the Zhang Family Mansion instantly fall unconscious.
Just when they draw near the Zhang Family Residence.
Suddenly, an invisible layer of purple mist unfolds above the Zhang Family Residence, and an indistinct, majestic aura spreads out.
Holy, solemn.
This aura trembles slightly; instantly, these paper figures shiver, emitting thick smoke all over their bodies, quickly retreating.
Showing a human-like expression of fear.
"Dragon and Tiger Qi!"
In the backyard of Zhang's Paper Mache Shop, Paperman Zhang, meditating under the shrine, opens his eyes, his face changing slightly.
On the table before him, the oil lamp seems to be blown by a wild wind, flickering unstably.
Inside, there's an unseen surge rolling in.
Behind Paperman Zhang stand Wang Yuanlang and Ji Ming. Seeing this scene, Wang Yuanlang doesn't understand the profundity, but Ji Ming understands it all too well.
The Zhang Family received the court bestowed 'House of Virtue' plaque, somewhat protected by the Dragon and Tiger Qi, preventing external evils from invading.
But this is not an issue.
In front of the Zhang Family Mansion, not long after, a group appears, covering the golden plaque with a large basin of filthy blood.
After pouring that filthy blood, the majestic invisible light purple aura lingering above the Zhang Family dissipates slowly.
Paperman Zhang and Ji Ming both sense this scene.
Paperman Zhang remains expressionless, while Ji Ming's lips curl into a faint smile.
"It's done. Without the Dragon and Tiger Qi, it becomes much easier!"
"The Zhang Family is merely a local noble family, lacking depth, possessing great treasures but not appreciating them!"
The root of the Dragon and Tiger Qi lies in the court.
It suppresses all sides, ensuring the court's orthodoxy remains untainted by myriad evils.
This aura is vast and mighty!
Regarding the origin of this Dragon and Tiger Qi, Ji Ming has heard tales, one saying it stems from the power of the Sheji legitimacy born when the court stood strong in the Divine Land.
Another says it comes from an unimaginable being, called the Sheji God.
Yet others say it comes from the Heavenly Dao, the mandate of emperors bestowed from heaven, thus descending such miraculous power to protect all people, or rather, it is fundamentally the power of the people.
Ji Ming cannot determine which legend is true, but warlocks like them from heterodox sects always avoid such power.
Before the court's orthodoxy is overthrown, those outside the mainstream will not choose to confront it directly.
At the same time, two others sense the disappearance of the Zhang Family's Dragon and Tiger Qi.
These two are within the Zhang Family.
Within the Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall, Zhang Jian has been staying here for this period, borrowing the family's solemn treasure land to jointly study the Nine Chapters of Pure Tongshan with Zhang Yi.
Both studying together, one with short plans, two with long plans, each has gained considerable insights and has started stepping into the Gate of the Great Dao.
Zhang Jian's cultivation of the Nine Chapters of Pure Tongshan is faster; he almost converts his inner breath into a uniquely powerful First Layer force within a day.
He calls it Spiritual Power.
Perhaps it's related to having practiced the Celestial Spirit Child Skill, or because he is inherently Pure Yang, meaning the Spiritual Power he cultivates is extremely strong and masculine.
But this differs from Magical Power.
Magical Power only arises when fully integrating one's essence, life, and cultivation, forming a power born of personal essence, spirit, and even life span, fortune, an extremely profound force that most ordinary outsiders cannot form.
It requires the orthodox Great Dao Lineage, special qualifications, and a certain opportunity and perseverance to cultivate.
Spiritual Power is similar to the innate inner breath condensed at the Innate Stage, but more mystical, merely a part of the Three Treasures' force condensed Qi.
While Zhang Yi's progress is slightly slower, taking nearly a week to gradually convert into Spiritual Power.
Being able to convert into Spiritual Power indicates both possess the qualifications for cultivation, but Zhang Jian's aptitude is evidently superior.
As the Dragon and Tiger Qi disperses, both perceive with their newly condensed Spiritual Sense the changes in the external world, faintly sensing the existence of the Dragon and Tiger Qi.
Simultaneously, both sense a highly sinister and evil force approaching the Zhang Family Residence.
Sensing the change, both stand up instinctively, preparing to take action.
But in the ancestral hall, the Stone Mirror suddenly radiates brilliance, a dense golden light bursts forth, under the golden glow, revealing the demons and phantoms outside the Zhang Family Mansion.
One by one, the bizarre paper figures spontaneously emerge, but under the golden light, they let out wails of despair and melt away.
"Paper figures?"
The two move quickly, appearing outside the Zhang Family Residence, instantly seeing through the 'Spiritual Sense' the paper figures turning to ashes.
Whether it's Zhang Yi or Zhang Jian, it's their first time facing such a scene, the strange spectacle chilling them to the bone.
The paper figures seem like living humans!
At the same time, both are amazed by the power of the Stone Mirror in the ancestral hall.
It's surprisingly effective.
Especially Zhang Jian, who silently realizes his previous Five Senses Spiritual Sense did not err, the Stone Mirror indeed is the Zhang Family's treasure safeguarding the clan.
"Seems someone tried to scheme against us, not realizing my Zhang Family possesses such a wonder!"
"But these paper figures look somewhat familiar!"
Zhang Yi, frowning, watches those endearing paper figures; he administers the Zhang Clan Ancestral Hall, overseeing every major ritual by the Zhang Family, thus intimately familiar with such funeral paper figures.
Zhang Jian recognizes it already, a gleam flashes in his eyes: "Zhang's Paper Mache Shop!"
Zhang Yi's eyes slightly narrow.
"I'll go check it out!"
"Together!"
Seeing Zhang Jian's figure dart off directly, Zhang Yi is slightly surprised, but considers for a moment before quickly leaping up to follow closely.
As for the Zhang Family Mansion, they are confident, with Zhang Family guardians and treasures in place, breaching it won't be easy.
Meanwhile, inside Zhang's Paper Mache Shop, Paperman Zhang suddenly feels as if struck by lightning, his entire body erupting with intense golden light, nearly roasting him on the spot, issuing low moans of anguish.
His eyes even begin to emit golden light.
The golden light scorches his body, causing inhuman screams of torment.
The oil lamp on the table is further buffeted by a wild wind, shaking violently, almost going out.
"Backlash!"
Witnessing this scene, Ji Ming's face changes dramatically.